Primary Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes - The Health Promotion Strategy “Healthier Places to Live Work and Play” developed by Saskatchewan Health provides a framework for population health promotion at the local, regional and provincial levels. It builds upon the work already being done across the province in health promotion and disease prevention.

Optimum Care and Prevention of Diabetes Complications - the “Canadian Diabetes Association 2003 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada” is a tool to assist care providers. Saskatchewan Health provided copies of the Guidelines to each regional health authority encouraging primary health care providers to utilize them in their practices. RHAs are establishing diabetes teams and are working toward standardizing the delivery of services throughout their regions.

To facilitate the delivery of team-based care, Saskatchewan Health is participating with Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia on the Western Health Information Collaborative (WHIC) Chronic Disease Management project. This project along with work undertaken in the province is aimed at increasing the capacity to link information systems between front line primary health care providers.

Education for Care Providers - Two diabetes education programs were developed in 2003 as a result of funding provided by the Ministry of Health to Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST). The “Basic” and “Advanced Diabetes Education for Health Care Providers” education programs are currently being offered by distance deliv

The “Basic” program is available to care providers currently working in a health setting or service such as: home care/special care aide; community health representative; community health worker; private care home operators; emergency services personnel etc. The “Advanced” program is available to health professionals with a certificate, diploma, or degree such as: registered or psychiatric nurse; pharmacist; licensed practical nurse; dietitian etc.

Workshop materials for “Risk Identification of the Foot in Diabetes” have been developed . The workshops are intended to outline and demonstrate the clinical/in-home examination procedures required to identify the foot at risk. Materials to deliver workshops are available by contacting the Provincial Diabetes Coordinator.

Saskatchewan Health and the CDA have joined forces to host the first provincial diabetes symposium, “Innovation and Excellence in Diabetes Care - Moving Forward for the Next 100 Years.” The symposium will be held on September 15th and 16th, 2005 at the Delta Bessborough in Saskatoon. The symposium is aimed at providing information and practical strategies for both the prevention of diabetes and effective management of the disease. The conference will demonstrate the effectiveness and efficacy of a primary health care team approach.

Diabetes Surveillance - The National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS) is a multi-sectorial initiative of government, non-government agencies, Aboriginal groups and industry. Data provided to Health Canada by the provinces and territories are in an aggregate form.

The work of the National Diabetes Surveillance System (NDSS) has improved Saskatchewan Health’s capacity to use the wealth of information available. Saskatchewan Health’s Population Health Unit has just completed the development of the “Saskatchewan Diabetes Profile 1996/97 to 2000/01” which describes diabetes trends in the province and in regional health authorities over a five-year period. The information contained in the Profile has been provided to regional health authorities to support program planning and to track progress in reducing the incidence of diabetes over the long term.